Do you belong to a yacht club?

[Stillraining]

I was thinking of joining a local ( sort-of ) yacht club...But after checking out the one I was thinking of I am having second thoughts...

The main reason for that is the volunteering my time as some of that seems required...Ya right ...what time.. and to a lesser degree a waste of money in yearly dues due to that lack of time to utilize what might otherwise be a good deal.

Also I have this stereotype pictured in my mind that just dosent blow my skirt up...Im probably way off on this one..I would hope.

So if ya don't mind... share about your experience with being past or present club members..and what you really think about it.

[chucklesR]

Sure, Commodore of mine in fact.
Welcome To The Yacht Club of Cape St. Claire, Cape St Claire, Maryland.

I highly recommend it and any other active yacht club, no better way to meet people and share experiences (except maybe here).

[blt2ski]

Belong to two of them, both at same marina. One is more sailing/racing with some cruising. The other is more a cruising party group with mostly power boats. Kind of funny looking at the ratios of the two. Both groups are fun.

There is also a local email yacht club, free to. Cascadia

Anyway, there are probably as many or more reasons to join, as there are NOT to join. But if you travel to other marinas, the ability to stay at some areas free can be worth it. Some, like across the sound from me, Port Madison, do require work parties to take care of grounds etc, just one way to keep the dues both annual and initiation on the low side. Considering Seattle yacht club is about $20G for initiation, and required to spend some 300-400 a month at Restaurant etc. The local ones at 75 initiation 60 a yr, or 400 initiation and 350 a yr look rather cheap and good!

Marty

[T37Chef]

We were looking at Yacht Club very close to where we keep our boat now, its a deal as far as $$ is concerned, but requires 56 hours of you time a year, and what got me was the fact that it seemed if you just did the 56 you were considered scum. I also got the feeling that I would be volunteered to cook for every function they had?!;(

We are members of the Chesapeake Bay Tartan Sailing Club & the Tartan 37 club, but both are just recreational clubs/memberships.

We are considering joining one for the kids in a few years, the Potapskut Sailing Association or PSA on the Magothy, Potapskut Sailing Association

[Faster]

Yacht clubs come in a variety of forms, from the "ultra prestigious" (aka snooty) to the most casual, and each seems to fit a certain type of person.

The advantage of belonging to a wealthy club is that they generally have a very good base of out-stations providing good shelter and "free" moorage at or near many popular cruising areas. Joining these types of clubs generally involves a sliding scale of initiation fees (younger = lower) so joining as a teenager is the plan that works best. There are usually monthly minimum fees too, but minimal volunteer work required because they pay people to do the work.

Then there's the "local" club, with in-town docks and clubhouse, perhaps not much more, and in an effort to keep all costs down rely on member volunteer work (minimum hours/year usually mandated) to do maintenance and upgrades.

Lastly, there are a growing number of what are called "virtual" yacht clubs. These include clubs of convenience for racers, as many organized events require owners' membership in an accredited club, and cruising clubs where the emphasis is on social meetings, and a regular schedule of rendezvous at a variety of local destinations.

Clubs that provide less-than-market moorage rates can be a good deal once you figure out the payback time compared to commercial moorage rates.(after clearing their waitlists!)

We belong to one each of the last two.. and it's been a very positive experience. Even the clubs that require volunteer work, it usually boils down to one or two weekends a year unless you get roped onto the executive board. The cruising club we belong to is great - no assets, no docks, no money involved, really, so the running of the club is simplified and there are no power plays to be made by anyone. 10 meetings/year, and 10 monthly rendezvous and many other impromptu ones as members recognize the burgee at one bay or another.

We encouraged (and helped) our son to join a "prestigous" club when he was 18, (for $1000 - for me to join the same club now would run around $20K) and as a result as a boat owner now he has access to several prime outstations. He avoids the less attractive aspects of membership there, but makes use of the facilities to absorb the bulk of his monthly minimum.

So I'd hunt around for the type of club that suits you best... you should be able to find one. The camaradarie and meeting like-minded people is a good thing.

[artbyjody]

Originally Posted by blt2ski

Considering Seattle yacht club is about $20G for initiation, and required to spend some 300-400 a month at Restaurant etc. The local ones at 75 initiation 60 a yr, or 400 initiation and 350 a yr look rather cheap and good!

Marty

SYC is 14K in initiation - I looked into it as the original owner of my boat is a member and was going to sponsor me. But, I couldn't see a compelling reason to outlay that kinda cash to be part of anything. For ex-military members most Naval Bases have their own Yacht Club (Everett up here in PNW does), for about $30 a year and same reciprocal privies like those of the other yacht clubs (you do not need a sponsor just evidence you are a ex or active military member).

I haven't joined any - its too much of a hassle to find sponsors etc.

[SEMIJim]

They don't call ours a "yacht club," but, rather, a sail club. Yeah: The Admiral and I belong to one: North Star Sail Club. (And if that picture doesn't dispell the image of "yacht club members" I suspect you have in your mind, I dunno what will .)

We love it. The racing and cruising events, the other club events, the camaraderie, usually someone around to help, give advice, someone around you can help or with whom you can share what knowledge you've accumulated.

In a sail or yacht club, you're surrounded by other sailors. Can't beat it.

Yeah, there are required hours to put in. But they add up fast. OTOH: The slip fees are less than the marinas around here and the group haul-out, winter storage and spring launch are about half what a marina would charge. So, incl. the annual dues, we about break even with what a commercial marina would cost, we have to put in a few hours/year, and we get all the benefits I listed above, and more.

Wouldn't have it any other way .

Unlike Chuckles, neither The Admiral nor I have any intention whatsoever of moving through the flags. We're happy being worker bees .

Jim

[Stillraining]

Good run down Faster...Thanks

[Stillraining]

Yes Jim I could fit in quite well there..

[Plumper]

I also belong to two clubs and they provide us with many outstation and reciprocal opportunities as well as a couple social groups of like interest. One of the clubs is in the prestigious category and the other is a self help style. I like both very much. The helping out is more fun than work. I find the experience with both clubs very positive.